Dear Tina

My girlfriend and I got into a huge fight a few nights ago about how we never spend any time together and she is blaming me. Granted I do go to school part time and work full time, but she also goes to school and doesn’t work. So, on the small occasions when we’re both home and not busy I want to do something, and she never wants to go out or she is always messaging her girlfriends and ignoring me. So, it seems like it’s her fault to, but I don’t want to say anything and make things worse. What should I do?

— Hard Worker

Dear Hard Worker,

Thanks for the email. I can understand where you’re coming from and it can be difficult to balance life and make it fit.

One of the things you could do is talk with your girlfriend and see if you can schedule a date once a week where it’s just you two. Including her in the decision will make her feel more important and make her feel like you value her opinion.

Make sure though she understands that it will be an unplugged date, so no phones to distract you from each other.

Now, on the downside, if she does not want to put forth the effort to spend the time with you that y’all have and you are trying then it might be time to take a step back and re-evaluate your relationship because everyone deserves to be loved and cared for.